School in September?

by with 2 Comments CultureFeatured

[New Contributor]

What will school look like in September? It’s a question that’s at the top of most people’s minds, especially educators. This is typically the time of year most educators spend reflecting on their practice, spending time with family and in some cases attending professional development to engage in learning communities to share best practices. However, this year things are different. We’re in the midst of a global pandemic with questions that can’t be answered, with the most pressing question being, “Do we return to school for face to face instruction, or do we go completely virtual?” While the answer seems pretty clear, many districts are planning to return to school for face to face instruction in September, and with the threat of losing out on federal funding for not returning, it seems as if this is their only option.  

Face to face instruction for large student populations poses a health risk for anyone working in the building, especially educators and students, and quite frankly, with cases on the rise this option just doesn’t make sense. Teachers will now be responsible for things such as cleaning the desks, supplies, and anything else that may have been used before students enter their room all while managing and ensuring student use of PPE and teaching with students sitting 6 feet apart. Let’s remember, this is merely one layer and does not begin to address the nuanced interactions educators and students have at school. 

Although virtual learning is the most viable option, it still comes with drawbacks. Not all families have access to the internet or devices to support the students in the household, not to mention working from home is not an option for many parents and neither is leaving their child at home unattended for the workday. Furthermore, we all know that learning is social, and without intentional planning and adequate teacher training, students will lose important critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Although there are obvious health risks in returning to school for face to face instruction, there are other long-lasting issues that if unchecked, will continue to decimate the already frail educational structure. In my humble opinion, it’s time for a complete overhaul and restructuring of what education should look and feel like. 

Despite being in the eye of the storm, we can still find peace. Returning to school for face to face instruction quite frankly is too dangerous and will inherently be the cause of more outbreaks. It’s time for a complete overhaul and it begins with the community. For example, communities could start homeschooling co-ops that mirror what more affluent districts are doing. There would be individualized instruction, smaller class sizes and classes could be held outdoors and in other non-traditional settings. Companies like Tailor Made Learning, based in Detroit, MI, do a great job of sitting with families and designing an educational experience that truly allows families to have a say in HOW their young person learns. Community Activists and educators such as Nikala Asante, based in Houston, TX, are creating and building opportunities for virtual African-Centered homeschooling. There are options. 

We live in a capitalist society and it’s time we understood what that truly means. All too often the people impacted the most by these decisions are not at the table, yet we have yet to realize we are the ones with the real power. Sending your child back to school in September for face to face instruction is not safe. The world of education is changing and it’s time we started designing experiences that teach our young people how to think critically and problem solve in ways that positively impact OUR communities. Yes, it takes hard work, but the outcomes are worthwhile and most importantly long-lasting.

Similar Read: Do You Remember 2020?

U.S. Virgin Islands Didn’t Make The Cut

by with One Comment International
Hurricanes have devastated the Caribbean over the past month. Two U.S. territories, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have been hit the hardest. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas, and Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, there wasn’t much wavering about when the president would visit or his administration’s urgency in responding with aid. The president actually received praise for his response in Houston and South Florida.
However, his administration responded much differently when Hurrican Maria struck Puerto Rico. [As a reminder, these are U.S. citizens – they pay taxes, have social security numbers, etc. According to a recent poll by Morning Consult, 54% of American’s did not know this.]
Many reports state that Peurto Ricans were still waiting for aid a week after the hurricane hit. It took Trump two weeks to visit the island, and it’s safe to say his visit didn’t receive the same praise and welcome he had previously received in Houston. Carmen Yulin Cruz, San Juan Mayor, heavily criticized the president and his administration for their lack of aid and urgency prior to his visit. In typical Trump fashion, he responded with no regard for her anguish and called her a “nasty mayor,” and joked that sending them aid would throw his administration’s budget “a little out of whack.”
All things being unequal in his treatment of Houston/South Florida Vs. Peurto Rico, at least he visited all three U.S. states/territories.
The same can’t be said for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was ravished by Hurricane Maria as well. Where is the U.S. media coverage? With the exception of MSNBC’s Joy Reed giving Rep. Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands time to detail their recovery efforts, U.S. news organizations have barely covered their devastation. Their devastation was obviously not as bad, not as important, or maybe they’re just lower on the list of priorities for this administration. And instead of the president visiting the capital of U.S. Virgin Islands, or one of their most affected areas, which is roughly a 30 min flight from Puerto Rico, Vice President Mike Pence is visiting instead.
Granted, the Vegas shooting is a tragedy and needed to be addressed. But if you’re a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, of whom 76% are African-American, how should they feel or perceive the president and his administration’s lack of aid and recognition in their time of need? The one state/territory that is overwhelmingly African-American receives the least aid, hardly any U.S. media coverage, less recognition from the president’s administration, and not even a visit from the president himself?
The president did meet with Gov. Kenneth Mapp of the U.S. Virgin Islands on a Navy amphibious assault ship “offshore,” but never stepped on land to visit residents or see the damage for himself. I guess if you’re a U.S. citizen in the U.S. Virgin Islands, that’ll have to be good enough.
This president is constantly called a racist regarding his rhetoric and how he treats and responds to black and brown people differently. It’s hard to argue that his response to Puerto Rico and even worse the U.S. Virgin Islands doesn’t add to that long list and justify anyone calling him a racist.
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Looting… Crime or Survival? The LCR Weighs In…

by with One Comment Uncategorized

In the past few weeks, the Caribbean has experienced devastating hurricanes, which has caused millions to lose electricity and access to necessities like food and gas. Do you think looting, particularly stealing food, in the aftermath of such extreme weather, should be considered a crime?

We asked several of our contributors from across the political spectrum this very question, and this is what they had to say…

“Islands in the Caribbean are facing a major humanitarian disaster in the wake of the recent spate of hurricanes. This has forced some residents to loot and steal food and other necessities in order to survive. When you have no food or water your government has forgotten about you, and you have no other options – it is no longer looting, it’s self preservation. It’s the job of the government to ensure that its citizens don’t have to resort to such measures. If the government is unable to do so on its own then the international community has a responsibility to assist them.” – Center Left College Student  

“Post-disaster looting is often polarizing: it’s an either-or scenario: loose morals versus survival instincts. I have personally witnessed firsthand three major hurricanes on the Texas Coast: Rita, Ike and Harvey. If coastal cities such as Houston are not adequately prepared for natural storms given their geographic location and flat lands, at or below sea-level, then they should be prepared for citizens’ survival instincts to kick in. Food banks and shelters should be stocked and ready, given the cities flood-prone nature. It’s important to distinguish between taking resources for survival and non-essential luxury goods. With normal life disrupted, and no way to pay for the goods, people may just take what they need to keep living. We can debate whether or not that is really stealing, but if it were me, I would take cheese and bread if I could not get to a shelter. A Rolex; however, is a different story.” – Right Southern Female 

“In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the looting of basic, immediate necessities (food, water, clothes, supplies, and shelter) can be condoned and possibly forgiven. It’s the looters’ pursuit of long term gains (high priced, non-essential luxury items) at the expense of citizens and businesses that should be treated as crimes, just as if the disaster had not occurred.” – Unaffiliated Humanist Musician 

“If you think of looting in a very narrow sense, I assume that one would call it a criminal act. Although the word “loot” has such a simple definition, in devastating situations such as in Puerto Rico currently, the act of looting to survive is not so cut and dry. People need to live. Plain and simple. And although a systematic distribution process would be the best way to ensure that everyone would receive what they need to survive, human instinct will not allow calm and rationalization in such an extreme crisis. Taking items such as food or medical supplies to assist your family should not be considered a crime under these circumstances; however, if it is shown that these scarce resources were stolen for any other reason, then criminal penalties should apply.” – Apolitical Elected Official

“The Caribbean is a collection of islands where the majority of residents are living well below the poverty line. Most of these people cannot afford a moral dilemma. I liken it to poaching the king’s deer in a medieval forest or even stealing a loaf of bread in eighteenth century Europe. Les Miserables, anyone?”  – Registered Independent Voter 

“When people are suddenly hit with a major weather disaster, resources become scarce. Those effected are compelled to rely on assistance from other sources, which is where the governmental should step in. However, the government isn’t perfect. With that being said, whenever the government fails to respond adequately there should be leniency on the people. If there isn’t any assistance following a major disaster in a reasonable time, looting for food in particular should not be a crime.” – Detroit Democrat Male 

What are your thoughts?

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